§ SIR EARDLEY WILMOTasked the Secretary of State for War, if it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to give a clasp with the medal for service on the Gold Coast to those officers and men who were in engagements with the Ashantees after the late war broke out, and before the arrival of the European Forces on the Coast; and, if it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to recommend the conferring of the Victoria Cross upon Sir Francis Festing for distinguished gallantry in the field?
MR. GATHORNE HARDYSir, in answer to my hon. Friend, I will read the General Order which has been issued in reference to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's Question—
The Queen has been graciously pleased to signify her pleasure that a Silver Medal he granted to all Her Majesty's Forces who have been employed on the Gold Coast during the operations against the King of Ashantee, with a clasp in the case of those who were present at Amoaful and the actions between that place and Coomassic (including the capture of the capital), and of those who, during the five days of those actions, were engaged on the north of the Prah in maintaining and protecting the communications of the main Army.With respect to the second part of the Question, no recommendation has been brought before the Commander-in-Chief with respect to Sir Francis Festing, and therefore no such step as my hon. Friend suggests will be taken.
§ SIR EARDLEY WILMOTThe Answer we have just heard being in no way satisfactory, I shall on an early day call the attention of the House to the subject, and move a Resolution.